Vacuum fuel-feed device



KUMLER. VACUUM FUEL FEED DEVICE.

APPUCATION FILED APRIL 1920.

Patented Mar. 14,1922,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

U/ %W M tilll l l (,IHHHLIH i mll ii Mill] HI 5 E N R O T A E. KUMLER.

VACUUM FUEL FEED DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 17. 1920,

EDWIN KUMLER, F CLEVELAND, O HIO.

VACUUM FUEL-FEED DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patentgd 1,1 14}, 1922 Application filed April 17, 1920. Serial No. 374,658.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I. Enwix Reina-1n. a citizen of the United States. residing at Cleveland, in the county of tuyahoga and State of Ohio. have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Vacuum Fuel- Feed Devices. of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. reference. being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to auxiliary fuel receptacles and supply regulating devices. for use in motor driven vehicles. Such devices are commonly known as vacuum tanks. In the use of the yacuum system of supplying fuel to hydro-carbon engines of motor vehicles, the suction of the cylinders is utilized to produce a partial vacuum in an auxiliary receptacle, which vacuum results in lifting the fuel from the main supply tank, the fuel flows from the auxiliary receptacle to the usual carburetor by gravity. An essential object of this invention is to supply a simple, ethcient vacuum supply tank with the valve cont-rolling mechanisms therein. governed by the level of the liquid in the receptacle, for opening and closing comnninication with the main supply tank and with the carburetor. More specific objects are to so arrange the device so that it may have the minimum number of parts capable of being cheaply manufactured, and more important still, shall not require the use of springs or other finely adjusted elements likely to get out of order or be damaged by wear in use.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and is hereinafter more fully described. the

essential characteristics being summarized in the claims.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my vacuum tank. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the same showing the float controlled valves in one position; Fig. 3 is a similar section of the upper chamber of the tank showing the float moved upwardly but the valves in the same position as in Figure 2. Fig. -l is a view similar to Fig, 3 showing the float and valves in their uppermost position, opening communication from the upper to the lower chambers of the tank, and closing communication with the main supply tank; Figs. and 6 are horizontal sections taken on planes illustrated on the lines 5-4) and 6-6 of Figure 21 upper chamber.

The vacuum tank of my invention comprises essentially two chambers, one above the other. the lower chamber being formed by a base 1. a cylindrical side wall 5, and closed at the top by a disk-like member 8 above which is carried another cylindrical member ll), supporting at its upper end a cover disk 15. The bottom and top members 1 and 15 are provided with peripheral flanges, embracing the cylinders 5 and 10 respectively, and these cylinders are titted with packing as indicated at 2 and 12. Bolts 17 extended through bosses outside the tlanges may so connect and secure the parts as to form a unitary structure. hedisk H is shown as provided with flanges 9. Placed at the adjacent ends of the cylinders 5 and 10 are suitable gaskets 11 forming the required tight joint.

Rising from the central portion of the cover 15 is a boss having screw threads to receive a pipe fitting 21 of the conduit 22 leading tothe engine. and connected therewith in such a manner that the suction produced in the cylinders may result in" withdrawing a portion of the air from the upper chamber of the tank. It is customary to attach the conduit 22 to the intake manifold to accon'iplish this purpose. Also rising from the. cover 1:") is a boss threaded to receive. a pipe fitting 26 of a conduit 28. Leading from the main fuel tank communicating with the opening of the boss and depending therefrom. is shown a short tube 29 having its end turned toward the wall of the upper chamber. whereby the fuel entering the upper chamber is discharged against the wall and thus avoids interfering with the functioning of the valve operating float 30.

The float 30 is shown as comprisinga hollow member, preferably metallic. loosely enlbraciug a cylindrical shank 32 integral with a tubular extension 3 tapering at 34 to fit the opening at the boss 20, after the manncrof a needle valve. The extension 33 may be guided by a spider 35 carried by the cover and having openings to allow communication of the suction passage with the The cylindrical shank 32 is preferably provided with flanges 37 and 38 limiting the relative movement of the float 30.

Within the cylindrical shank, which has a bore communicating with 'the passage of the tubular extension 33, is a piston designated 40 carrying an extension 41 at its lower end adapted to act as a needle valve to close the opening through a tubular valve member 43. The valve member 43 extends through an opening 44 in the partition plate 8 between the upper and lower chambers and by reason of a flaring taper at the upper portion, may closely fit this opening or when rising may allow communication around the outside of the tube permitting liquid to flow from the upper to the lower chamber. The needle 41 carries lateral projections 45 normally extended just below the top of a spider 46 rigid with the tube 43 and slidably embracing the needle where by the upward movement of the piston may strike a blow delivered b the pro'ections 45 to the spider 46 to dislo go the tu e 43 and raise the same with the upward movement of the piston. The lower chamber is provided with a dis charge opening 50, through an internally threaded boss 52, receiving a pipe connection 53 for the conduit 55 leading to the carburotor, and along which the liquid is adapted to travel by gravity. The operation of this invention when in use, is as follows Assume that my vacuum feed tank is suitably mounted above the position of the usual carburetor and that the conduit 22 is in communication with the intake manifold while the conduit 28 is connected with the fuel tank in the end of the conduit, and the conduit 55 is suitably connected with the carburetor. Now by starting the engine, by outside means, such as the self-starting motor, the suction caused by the running of the motor in the intake manifold creates a partial vacuum in the upper chamber, and causes the atmospheric pressure in the main fuel tank to lift the liquid, forcing it along the conduit 28 and discharging it through the tube 29 into the upper chamber. As the level of the liquid rises in the upper chamber it lifts the float, moving the float from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3. where it engages the upper flange 37, and a subsequent rise lifts the valve tube extension 33, closing the suction passage. The additional suction then acts through the passage of the tube 33 and causes a superior pressure in the upper chamber to act on the lower end of the piston 40 which moves upwardly quickly, thus dislodging and raising the valve tube 43. This opens the port 44 and allows the liquid in the upper chamber to flow to the lower chamber. A vent opening may be provided i'ibove the liquid level in the lower chamber, and connected with an upwardly extending tube 61, to relieve any vacuum which might otherwise develop in tlie lower chamber. The construction of the needle valve 41 and valve tube 43 is with a view to securing lightness of parts and insuring the prompt opening of the valve consequent upon shutting off the vacuum'through the suction conduit. Another important advantage of this arrangement is that at the time the vacuum is shut off, that is, when the suction is shut off from the upper chamber, the partial vacuum must be relieved to allow flow of the liquid from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. 0 This is because the vacuum in the upper chamber at the time the vacuum conduit is closed, is sufficiently high to draw liquid from the comparatively low supply tank, and as the distance which the liquid flows from the upper chamber is much less than the relative distance between the upper chamber and the main supply tank, the flow would be prevented, unless the vacuum in the upper chamber is relieved. The vent 60 at all times prevents vacuum forming in the lower chamber, and I find that the vacuum in the upper chamber may be relieved by the valve arrangement described. As the vent opening 60, being always above the liquid level in the lower chamber admits air, it may pass upwardly around the outside of the tube 43 into the upper chamber and through the liquid, thereby relieving the vacuum, allowing the liquid to flow through the tubular passage 43 without interfering with the upwardly passing air relieving the vacuum to permit such flow of liquid. This tube being extended below the port facilitates the free flow. Another function of these lower valves is to prevent, when the valves are closed, any passage of air from the lower to the upper chamber, which would normally occur by reason of the superior pressure in the lower chamber when the upper chamber is partially exhausted.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1'. In a vacuum fuel feed device for internal combustion engines, the combination of a vacuum chamber, a conduit leading thereto from the source of fuel supply, a suction conduit leading therefrom, a valve for closing the suction conduit, an outlet, a valve therefor, and a float connected to said first named valve so as to positively open or close it according to the level of the liquid within said chamber, and means operable by suction when said first named valve is closed to open the outlet valve to said chamber.

2. In a vacuum fuel feed device, the com bination of a vacuum chamber having a fuel supply conduit leading thereto, and a sum tion conduit leading therefrom, a valve for closingthe suction conduit. a discharge opening. a valve closing the discharge opt-n ing. a float having a connection with said first named valve for opening and closing the same. and a piston placed in operable relation with the suction conduit by closing of said valve and connected with the disorifice and the vacuum passage, and a float charge valve, whereby said discharge valve is opened by suction acting on the piston.

3. In a vacuum fuel feed device forinternal combustion engines, the combination of a vacuum chamber and conduit leading thereto from a source of fuel supply, a suca discharge opening, a valve for closing said suction pipe, a valve for closing said opening, means governed by the liquid level in said chamber for closing said valves alters nately, and means operable by the difference in pressure in said suction conduit and chamber for opening said discharge valve when the first named valve is closed,

5.- In a vacuum fuel feed device, a combination with a chamber, of a vacuum passage connecting the chamber with the engine and a fuel passage leading from the supply tank to said chamber, a drain opening leadin from said chamber and connected with the carbureter, a valve for closing the vacuum passage, a valve member fitted into said drain opening and having a central orifice, a vent for admitting air to the drain opening, a float within the chamber for opening and closing said first named valve and means connecting said valves operable to abruptly open said discharge valve and central orifice when the first named valve is closed.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a chamber and passages for leading fuel thereto, and a vacuum conduit and a drain opening through which the liquid may flow to the carbureter, a valve for closing said opening comprising a member adapted to fit the opening and having a central opening, another member for closing said central opening, and means governed by the level of the liquid in said chamber for lifting said closures, said means maintaining the central opening'when the first named member is moved to open position, whereby air may pass upwardly through one opening to relieve the vacuum in the chamber while the liquid flows through the other opening.

7. In a. vacuum fuel feed device, the combination with a fuel supply line and a vacuum passage connected with the intake of an engine. of a chamber closed except for said passages and a discharge orifice, aligned valve members for closing said discharge for alternately opening and closing said valves according to the level of the liquid in said chamber and connections between said valves whereby the opening of one of them opens and maintains the other valve in open position to provide a double passageway to said chamber.

8. In a vacuum fuel feed device for inter nal combustion engines, a vacuum chamber, a suction ipe for creating vacuum therein, a liquid uel supply pipe leading to said chamber from a source of supply, a dis charge opening, valves for closing said opening, said valves providing passageways opening into said chamber at difi'erent levels, and means for opening and maintaining each of said valves in open position when the liquid in said chamber is above a predetermined level.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a chamber, a suction pipe leading to the engine, a passage leading thereto from the main fuel supply tank, the,

chamber having a discharge orifice and being closed except for said passages and said orifice, a valve for closing said suction passage, a float for operating said valve, said in said extension, and a valve for closing the discharge orifice governed by said piston whereby the suction may actuate said piston to open the discharge orifice.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a chamber, a fuelsupply passage leading thereto, a suction passage leading therefrom, a discharge orifice at the lower part of the chamber, a tubular valve closing said discharge orifice, means for admitting atmosphere around said valve below the chamber, a valve for closing the vacuum passage, and a float adapted by buoyancy to close the suction passage and by weight to. close the discharge orifice, and means for causing the suction, after the closing-of the passage, to open the valve of the discharge orifice.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a chamber, of a supply line and suction passage connected with the chamber, said chamber having a discharge orifice directly beneath the opening to the suction passage, a tubular valve member for closing said suction passage, a float slidably guided by said tubular member, stops limit ing the movement of said float relative to said tubular member, a piston in said tubular member, an extension connected with said piston, a tube-like valve fitting said discharge orifice, said extension closing the tube and said tube closing the dischargeorifice, whereby when. the fioat lifts the valve to close the vacuum passage the superior pressure in the chamber actuatcs the piston to open the discharge orifice.

valve having a tubular extension, a piston i erned by the liquid level in said chamber to make suctional connection with said means 10 when the liquid in said chamber rises above a predetermined level. V

In testimony whereof, I hereuntoafix my signature.

EDWIN KUMLER. 

